O: A solid beer, but not a showstopper. I definitely enjoyed it, and it gained some complexity as it warmed up from the 46F pour temp. There’s just a “stand-out” element missing that places it behind other barlywine-styled brews I’ve drunk.

More User Reviews:

Pours a rich amber tinged deep brown with a billowing one and a half finger off white creamy head that takes forever to settle,just great clarity and a great head.Toasty oak and alcohol soaked dark fruit in the nose,as it warms a real alcohol zip comes into play.A full creamy feel with low carbonation.Flavors are lightly toasted with a shot of vanilla and raisin,it's not overly sweet though as there is a earthy more toasted finish.I like this better than the standard version,it doesn't seem to be as sweet,the oak is not overbearing.another great one from ST.

A: Medium copper with a slight haze, I'm pretty sure this was dry hoped hence the haze. The head doesn't get very big but last for a long time with the foam being made of a mix of mostly cream bubbles with some large soapy bubbles that are tan in color. The crown has small blisters indicating that it is not a fresh bottle, have just bought it last week I'm guessing it's a bottle from last year.

S: A moderately-strong, rich malt aroma that has malt sweetness, some ripe cherries, a bit of and caramel. The oak notes are moderate bringing some cinnamon to nose. There is a bit of dark stone fruit at moderately light levels. Maybe this is last years bottle as the hops aroma is pretty low, just a faint citrus. A reasonable amount of floral alcohol aroma as well.

T: The malt flavor is strong and up front bringing a fair amount of sweetness but it is quickly balanced by a strong hops bitterness. The malt bring flavors of caramel, plums and nectarines with a moderately-light cocoa showing up mid-way into the flavor. The hops are again on the low side with a nondescript citrus hops flavor like an aged beer. Light citrus hops flavor but a moderately strong hops bitterness. Having a moderate oak flavor that only underlines the Barleywine flavor with some cinnamon and a faint coconut flavor. The balance of the beer is somewhat bitter while the finish is medium. The aftertaste is of hops bitterness, some caramel malt sweetness and the oak showing a bit more as the other flavors fade.

M: Medium-full bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. This one reminds you that it a sipping beer from the good amount of warmth from the alcohol from the palate to throat to the belly.

O: A fairly sweet beer that's got a good amount of hops bitterness with a moderate amount of oak character. I didn't get much in the way of an other barrel character like like it was a wine or whiskey barrel that it was aged in and overall I'd like a bit more oak character in there. I'd had this fresh before, like out bright tank 13 day after brewing fresh along with from the store where it's had a solid amount of hops flavor and aroma which is awesome if not a bit agressive. Aged this beer has mellowed but I don't see it become an elegant after dinner beer like other Barleywine. Personally I prefer this one young and full of hops character but this still help ease the pain of a long work week just fine.

I've been in love with the Backburner, and when the base beer is as good as it is I believe you shouldn't mess with it. However, there's exceptions to that just looka at what Founders does with variations of Breakfast Stout. Pours a deep ruby red mahogany brown hue with a cream colored khaki head with fine speckled laicng forming on the sides of my glass. Aroma has oak and vanilla with hints of booze, caramelized sugars with a rolling breadiness. Also in addition there's a subdued earth, citrus pith, and herbaceous flavor combination that gets a bit jaded by the loads of vanilla and charred oak flavors, making the beer a bit dysmal for me. I like Unearthly but not a fan of Oak Aged Unearthly, this is basically the same type of oak flavor, it just doesn't do anything for me that the base beer meant so much. Mouthfeel burns a bit a, quite booze ridden with dry oak chip finish going on, cloyingly sweet at the same time not enough hops balance things out. Overall I don't like the booze level and the overt sweetness found in this beer.

The initial smell that sways my sinuses is one of raisin and a bit of toast. A few more inhales and I also notice a little bit of citrus, I suspect from the Willamette hops. Its color appears as a deep, and slightly cloudy mahogany. Backlit by the sun, it gives off a small red flare midst the brown. My first sip includes roasted malt, a tinge of hops, and more raisins from the nose. Midway through, I also detect vanilla and a little bourbon. It lingers, joined by big wood. [rim shot] No, really, the finish really leaves you with the oak-aged portion of the process. Great sipper. Tiny bubbles and mist-droplet like lacing. I’ve had the regular version of this. I much prefer this one, as it reminds me of Widdershins, but with less oak. Good take on barleywine, without being from across the pond.

A: Pours a ruby copperish-red with a puffy 1.5 finger slightly yellowed head. Beer is fairly clear with a small amount of visible carbonation. A little lacing after the 2nd pour from the bottle.

S: At first I got hop but there is a lot of carmely malt in there as well. Hints of oak come through. Lots of dark fruits like fig, raisin and plum make an appearance. Alcohol is fairly hidden behind the fruit and oak.

T: Smooth flavor of dark fruits and hop with an oak backing. Pretty mild flavors that collaborate well together. Hops are bold but don't overpower, malt is sweet but not overly. Oak kicks in to mild out the booze.

M: Fairly thick on the palate, low carbonation. Nice and warming in the stomach. Real easy drinking for 9.6%

Overall a fantastic barley wine made better with some oak additions. A must for anyone who likes barley wines or for those who dont think they like the style.

Poured into a pint glass an hour after removal from fridge. Poureda deep clear amber with a pretty tall off white head that receded to a cover.

The worlds weakest beak is picking up some ripe fruit aromas.

Right up front this may be one of the most flavor intense beers I've had in quite a while..a mouthful netted a nice hit of ripe plums and dark cherries followed by a caramel sweetness in the middle. Finish is showing a slight hop presence with more lingering sweetness.